Contributing Authors: Dr. Clarissa Clemente, Prof. Silvia Tavarini, Dr. Edoardo Monacci, Dr. Gabriele Sileoni, Dr. Lorenzo Tramacere, Prof. Daniele Antichi, Dr. Silvia Pampana. All from the University of Pisa (UNIPI).
The University of Pisa (UNIPI) team, led by Professor Daniele Antichi, is playing a crucial role in the VALERECO project, bringing a wealth of expertise in agroecological practices. Specialising in organic farming, cover cropping, conservation agriculture, intercropping, and agroforestry, the team focuses on both the genetic improvement of crops and the valorisation of agrobiodiversity. Their work includes selecting varieties for arable crops like chickpeas and vetches and introducing innovative non-food or multipurpose crops within the circular economy framework. By valorising chemical components and by-products, they contribute to sustainable agricultural practices.
The Centre for Agri-Environmental Research "Enrico Avanzi" (CiRAA)
The UNIPI team is part of the Centre for Agri-Environmental Research ‘Enrico Avanzi’ (CiRAA), Italy’s largest agricultural experimental center, covering over 500 hectares of agricultural land and an additional 722 hectares of woodland. CiRAA serves as a hub for research, development, and innovation, conducting on-station research and on-farm trials. It also actively involves local stakeholders in new agricultural advancements through demonstration activities.
CiRAA’s research spans several key areas: low-input cropping systems, soil tillage, crop protection, non-chemical weed control, organic farming, agroecology, agricultural mechanisation, and environmental impact assessments. These align closely with the VALERECO project’s goals, particularly in promoting legume crops for sustainable and climate-neutral agricultural systems.
Empowering legume cultivation through innovation
The UNIPI team’s involvement in VALERECO is directly tied to their expertise in legume cultivation and agroecological practices. Their participation in several EU projects (such as LegValue, IWMpraise, Oscar, and Organic Yields Up) has given them invaluable insights into the environmental and economic value of legumes. This work is essential to the VALERECO mission of boosting legume crop adoption as part of climate-resilient farming systems.
A key component of the VALERECO project is the creation of Living Labs (LLs), co-designed by researchers, farmers, and other stakeholders to test agroecological strategies in real-world conditions. UNIPI has established an LL at CiRAA, focusing on chickpea and vetch cultivation—two crops with a long history in central Italy but that face significant modern challenges.
Challenges and Research at the UNIPI Living Lab
These crops have a historical presence in central Italy but face modern cultivation challenges. Chickpea, for instance, is highly sensitive to weed and pest pressure, requiring technical improvements to become more attractive to farmers and competitive in the market. Additionally, climate change, particularly drought stress, poses a significant challenge to chickpea cultivation. Beyond its agronomic benefits in terms of residual soil fertility for subsequent crops, chickpea is a rich and affordable source of protein with high bioavailability, good digestibility, and a well-balanced amino acid profile, making it highly marketable. Differently, in central Italy, vetch is primarily cultivated for forage due to its high nutritional value. It is highly competitive against weeds, quickly covering the soil and producing substantial biomass. Furthermore, vetch is recognised as a legume species capable of fixing large amounts of atmospheric nitrogen, contributing significantly to soil fertility.
In the UNIPI LL, two chickpea varieties will be tested (in spring sowing), with a particular focus on drought resistance. Additionally, for both chickpea and vetch, their effects on subsequent crops will be evaluated to assess their performance within low-input cultivation strategies that incorporate agroecological practices such as cover cropping and intercropping, as well as conservation agriculture techniques. Vetch will also be extensively studied as a cover crop, particularly in conservation-oriented approaches like strip cropping and dead mulching systems.
Engaging Stakeholders in Agroecological Transformation
The UNIPI LL is not only a research site but also an active demonstration hub. Through regular events and activities, farmers, advisors, researchers, industry stakeholders, policymakers, and consumers are invited to engage with the ongoing research. These stakeholders help drive the adoption of diversified farming systems based on legumes, ensuring the widespread dissemination of findings.
Moreover, national and international networks and organisations will be engaged to amplify the impact of this research, contributing to a broader understanding of legume-based farming systems and encouraging on-farm trials aimed at addressing specific challenges.
Through its work at CiRAA, the UNIPI team is advancing the VALERECO project’s goals and contributing to a more sustainable, diversified, and climate-resilient agricultural future.
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